The Quiet Room (2018 film)

Did You Know?

• The film was officially uploaded to Facebook and YouTube by Crypt TV in June 2019.
• It was made available for streaming on Shudder on July 29, 2019.
• The film screened at Outfest on March 11, 2018.

Synopsis

Michael swallows a large amount of pills and wakes in a hospital. There he meets patients Hunter, Rachel, and Joe, who warn him about Hattie, a demon that stalks suicidal patients. They tell him to keep a cup of water nearby, as Hattie hates water, and that she kills anyone who comes between her and her chosen victim. Michael becomes attracted to Hunter, his new roommate, who adds that suicide notes also ward Hattie away.

Michael has a nightmare about his former lover Ben, who died from exposure while camping. Hunter soothes him and they make love. Jealous Hattie kills Hunter by slitting his wrists in the bathroom. Michael is found inconsolable and placed in the quiet room.

When removed for an exam, Hattie attacks and murders the nursing staff. Michael gives up and embraces Hattie, but Rachel and Joe trigger fire sprinklers to save him. Michael chooses to stay, writes a note saying he wanted to live, and crams it in Hattie's mouth, causing her to fall motionless. Later, Michael, Rachel, and Joe play cards outside. Michael looks at water spilling from a hose with a terrified look, implying Hattie may have possessed him.

Production

Wineman described the film in a 2018 interview as an allegorical way of sharing his personal journey with mental health. The characters of Hattie and Amy were written specifically for their actors, Alaska Thunderfuck and Lisa Wilcox, before either signed on. Wineman noted the challenge of deciding what to include or cut in a short film, saying he had to remind himself that scaffolding is meant to be torn down.

Reception

Scream magazine's Jon Dickinson praised Douglas's acting and said the visuals will make even the most hardened viewer feel unsteady. The San Diego Gay and Lesbian News and David Lopez of Instinct reviewed the film favorably, with Lopez writing it was refreshing to see a gay lead who is a person of color pushing the plot forward. Rue Morgue's Bryan Christopher stated it was the first short film that made tears well up while he watched it. The film won the Jury Award for Best Long-Form Narrative Short at the Nevermore Film Festival in 2018.